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Celtics get in a rare practice | Celtics Insider |

Celtics Insider

Celtics get in a rare practice

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WALTHAM -- The Celtics were back at their practice facility to do something a little out of the ordinary today. They practiced.

"I think the last time we were here for a practice was early in the month (it was March 8th)," said Brad Stevens. "Obviously that's not ideal, but we've done a lot of good film work. I think we've had a lot of good 15-20-minute meetings on the road where we've been able to do film work and walkthroughs in the hotel. Then certainly shootarounds; you almost have to treat those like practices right now."

The C's played last on Friday in Brooklyn and don't play again until Wednesday night at home against Toronto. They took Saturday and Sunday off before returning to the court. ...

Stevens has been among those watching the NCAA tournament, and in his first year in the NBA, it was noted that a major difference in the game on the different levels is the timeout rule.

In the NBA, a team calling a dead-ball timeout in the last two minutes has the option of advancing the ball to midcourt. In college ball, the inbounds play remains in the backcourt.

"I think what it does is it adds excitement to the game," Stevens said. "A seven-point game with three timeouts left with a minute and 10 seconds to go is still very much a game."

The difference dictates a change in strategy.

"In college, you want to shoot the ball with four or five seconds left if it's a tie game, because maybe you get a chance to get a rebound -- and they’re going to have a hard time scoring," Stevens said. "Here, you shoot the ball with four or five seconds left, and they get a rebound with 3.5, they can advance the ball. They can get an action, a pass, an action and a shot. So that changed things a little bit both ways. Yes, you can advance it if you’re on offense, but, yes, you have to be aware that they can, too.

"I saw the other night where (Kevin) Durant hits the shot in Toronto and there's still 1.6 left, and you still have to guard DeMar Derozan on that catch. And All-Stars make hard shots all the time."